Cambridge IGCSE English

as a Second Language
(Exercises)

Name: ………………………………………………………………………………………………

Batch: ………………………………………………………………………………………………

Year: ………………………………………………………………………………………………

School: Maahad Tahfiz Al Ammar (MTAA), Rantau, Negeri Sembilan

1
Chapter 1: Becoming a better reader

2
Exercise 1 – A Whale of a Time in Oz!

Read carefully the following article about the Southern Right Whale on page 5-6, and then answer all
the following questions.

(a) Who were the people resided in the treeless Nullarbor Plain?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

(b) How long the expedition spend watching whales at the Great Australian Bight?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

(c) What was the reason why the Southern Right Whale were called as “Right”?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

(d) What was it about their behaviour which made them so easy to hunt?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

(e) What was the reason why the Southern Right Whale left their mouth half open?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

(f) When was the season of whales’ breeding?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

(g) How much the weight of a mature female Southern Right Whale?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

(h) What was the writer’s personal response to seeing the whales as they leapt in the water?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

(i) How much the length of a Southern Right Whale calf once they were born?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

(j) What were impressions given by the writer on Nature? Give two details.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [2]

(k) What were the author’s feelings after the expedition of watching the whales? Give two
details.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [2]

[Total: 13]

3
Exercise 2 – The Eiffel Tower

Read carefully the passage ‘The Eiffel Tower’ on page 8 and answer the following questions.

(a) Why was the Eiffel Tower originally built?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

(b) What was its particular purpose?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

(c) What was the full name of the engineer in charge of the project?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

(d) What was the name of the engineer who actually designed the tower?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

(e) Which word in paragraph 6 tells you that the Eiffel Tower was not intended to be a
permanent feature of Paris?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

(f) How high was the tower when it was completed?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

(g) How long was the tower originally intended to last before it was taken down?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

(h) Why did Eiffel become a rich man?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

(i) What evidence does the passage give to show that the Eiffel Tower was a very well-
made structure?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

(j) Why was it finally decided to leave the tower in position?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

[Total: 10]

4
Exercise 3 – Pompeii exhibition opens at the National Museum of Singapore

Read carefully the article on page 11 and answers all the following questions.

(a) How long the city of Pompeii has been forgotten?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

(b) Which year that the Pompei city accidentally rediscovered?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

(c) What are the artifacts found from the House of the Gold Bracelet? Give two details.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [2]

(d) In what way archaeologist were able to create moulds of the Pompeii city’s life?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

(e) How many artifacts are displayed in this exhibition and where all of them are found?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [2]

(f) How long most of the artifacts in Pompeii city were not being displayed?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

(g) What are the features a visitor can see in the city of Pompeii in the exhibition? Give four
details.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [4]

[Total: 12]

5
Exercise 4 – Golconda Fort: Hyderabad's time machine

Read carefully the article on page 12-13 and answers all the following questions.

(a) When was Golconda Fort built?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

(b) Which kingdom Golkonda was considered as its capital in 16th century?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

(c) What is the name of the gate where visitors can enter Golconda Fort?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

(d) Who is the author of 'A Guide To The Heritage of Hyderabad'?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

(e) Who made Aurangazab moved to conquer the fort?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

(f) What is the purpose of a hand clap at the entrance of Golkonda Fort?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

(g) What are the features of the Golconda Fort building that help people to petition the king
in private? Give two details.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [2]

(h) Why Madhu considered Golconda Fort was unique?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

(i) What are the mosques can be found in Naya Qila? Give two details.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [2]

(j) Why was Ram Das was jailed by Abul Hasan Tana Shah? Give two details.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [2]

(k) When was the sarai built within the Golconda fort?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

(l) How much the Great Mughal Diamond is valued?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]
[Total: 15]
6
Chapter 2: Applying your reading skills

7
Exercise 1 – Noise

Read carefully the article on page 21, and then answer all the following questions.

1 What word in paragraph 1 tells you that noise damages our environment?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

2 From paragraph 2 give three effects on people who have been exposed to noise for a
long time.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [3]

3 What long-term physical effect of noise is mentioned in paragraph 3?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

4 Which group of people is most prone to suffering this effect?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

5 What is the reason given for this?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

The next few questions refer to the illustrations and their captions.

6 Which word in the caption under the picture of the child resting on his bed tells you that it
is wrong not to take the effects of noise seriously?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

7 What reason is given as to why noise is such a great cause of stress?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

8 Why do the speakers of MP3 players cause damage to the ears?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

9 From the graph on the left of the page, what sound produces the loudest noise?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

8
10 Which sound produces a sound of 85 decibels?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

11 From the whole passage (including the pictures) state four ways in which we might
unintentionally irritate other people with noise we make.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [4]

[Total: 16]

9
Exercise 2 – Brochures

Read carefully the following article about IT’S SNOW ALL THE WAY on page 23-25, and then
answer all the following questions.

1 State three things that you are told about the snow in Snow World India.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [3]

2 What is the temperature in Snow World?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

3 From the information given in paragraphs 2 and 3, state two places in Snow World India
where people might live.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [2]

4 Suggest three activities offered by Snow World India that would appeal to visitors. Say
which age group (young children, teenagers or adults) would be most likely to enjoy each
activity you mention.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [3]

5 State four items that must be worn by visitors to the snow area.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [4]

6 State two items that you must leave behind before you enter the snow area.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [2]

7 Are you allowed to take a camera with you into the snow area? How do you know?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

8 What must you do before you finally enter the snow area?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

10
9 In the ‘Things to do’ section, which word means ‘to get used to the temperature
conditions?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

10 What are you advised to do if you find that you are getting too cold?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

11 What are you advised to do to avoid falling over in the snow?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

12 How long does each session in the snow area last?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

13 By looking at the language of the brochure and its presentation, explain how it sets out to
persuade readers that Snow World India is both exciting and different.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

[Total: 22]

11
 Exercise 3 – Make notes

Your Year Group at school wishes to organise a visit to Snow World India. As a senior student, you
have been chosen to talk to parents to inform them about Snow World and also to encourage them
to let their son/ daughter take part in the visit.

Make notes of what you will say in your talk under the following headings:

What there is to do at Snow World (remember, there is more than just the snow area!)

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

What visitors are required to do before they go and also while they are there.

Lists to do before visitors go:

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Things they can do while they are there:

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

How long the visit may last and how much it will cost per person.

The duration of the visit:

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

The cost for each visit for a person:

• Adult - ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• Child - ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• College - ……………………………………………………………………………………………………

• School - ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

12
Why students in your Year will enjoy the visit and why it could benefit their education.

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

[Total: 22]

13
Exercise 4 – Advertisements

Read carefully the following article about ADOPT A DOLPHIN NOW on page 26-28, and then
answer all the following questions.

1 What is this advertisement encouraging its readers to do?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

2 State three things that are offered to help persuade them to be involved in this activity.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [3]

3 How do you know that the dolphins referred to at the beginning of the advertisement
(those who are trapped in fishing nets) are not killed on purpose?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

4 In what ways does the WDC try to protect dolphins from the dangers they face? Give
three details.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [3]

5 What feature of her appearance makes Kesslet easy to identify?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

6 Which two dolphins have a similar identification feature?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

7 What fish would seem to be a favourite food of the dolphins?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

8 What type of dolphin is Sundance?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

9 Which dolphin is the mother of Sparkle and which is possibly the father of Mellow
Yellow?
[1]
Sparkle’s mother - …………………………………………………………………………………

Mellow Yellow’s possible father - ………………………………………………………………..

14
10 State three human activities that are a threat to the dolphins’ existence.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [3]

11 Explain, using your own words, what is meant by ‘Extinction is forever’.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

12 Give two ways in which WDC will use the money that people donate to them.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [2]

[Total: 19]

15
Exercise 5 – Giving instructions

Read carefully the following article about Curried Pasta with Cauliflower and Chickpeas on page
23-25, and then answer all the following questions.

1 Why does the author of the recipe say that adding chickpeas to this recipe is a good
thing?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

2 What group of people does the writer think would be a suitable group of people to try this
recipe out on and why?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

3 What types of pasta could be used in this recipe? Give a brief detail about each type you
mention in your answer.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [2]

4 How many cooking utensils are needed to make this recipe?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

5 According to the recipe, how long should it take to cook this meal?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

6 Apart from following the cooking instructions, what else does the recipe suggest that you
should do to complete the meal?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

7 Is it important to include garlic in the meal? How do you know?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

16
8 There are some technical terms used in this recipe. Find out the meanings of the
following words and then explain what they mean: florets, unbleached, al dente, skillet,
sauté, simmer, combine, toss together.

florets - ………………………………………………………………………………………………

unbleached - ………………………………………………………………………………………..

al dente - ……………………………………………………………………………………………

skillet - ………………………………………………………………………………………………

sauté - ……………………………………………………………………………………………….

simmer - …………………………………………………………………………………………….

combine - …………………………………………………………………………………………...

toss together - ……………………………………………………………………………………... [8]

9 What does the writer mean by an ‘offbeat combination’ in the introduction to the recipe?
Why is it likely to appeal to the people who are going to eat it?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [2]

10 Now that you’ve looked closely at this recipe, do you think that you would find it easy to
follow or not? Give reasons for your answer.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [2]

[Total: 20]

17
Exercise 6 – The history of food

Read carefully all the following articles: The history of the doughnut, The history of the hamburger,
and The history of the pizza on page 31-32, and then answer all the following questions.

1 Which of the three items of food mentioned in the text was the first to be invented and
which was the most recent?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

2 According to the passage, who were the first people to cook doughnuts?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

3 Why were doughnuts originally known as ‘oily cakes’?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

4 What was the original filling of a doughnut?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

5 Why was it decided to put a hole in the middle of a doughnut?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

6 What was the name of the restaurant in which the hamburger was invented?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

7 According to the passage why was the hamburger invented?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

8 Which feature of the pizza first interested Queen Margherita?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

9 Explain fully the way in which the pizza was made to look like the Italian national flag.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

10 What evidence can you find in the content of this passage and the language that it uses
that the website from which it is taken is aimed at younger children?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

[Total: 11]

18
Exercise 7 – Voice Across the Sea

Read carefully the article on page 33, and then answer all the following questions.

(a) What was the electric telegraph deemed for in the beginning?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

(b) When was the first successful Atlantic cable placed?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

(c) Why was it not possible to speak across the Atlantic? Give two details.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [2]

(d) When was the first transatlantic telephone cable went online?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

(e) When was the dilemma of inter-continental telephone calls resolved?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

(f) Why there were more problems raised in the issue of inter-continental telephone calls?
Give two details.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [2]

(g) What item that was mentioned in the last paragraph indicating the cables could not
handle with the telephone?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

[Total: 9]

19
Exercise 8 – Goldilocks and the 3 planets

Read carefully the article on page 34, and then answer all the following questions.

1 What is a ‘solar system’?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

2 What is meant by the ‘Goldilocks Zone’? Explain using your own words as far as
possible.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

3 Why is the temperature band within the ‘Goldilocks Zone’ of a planet described as being
‘just right’?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

4 What is the difference between the ‘Goldilocks Zone’ relating to our sun and that in solar
systems with hotter or colder suns?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

5 What might be the most important physical feature of planets within the ‘Goldilocks
Zone’?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

6 What fact, in particular, makes the solar system of Gliese 667C especially interesting to
scientists?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

7 What other exciting possibility is suggested by the discovery of the planets in the Gliese
667C solar system?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

8 Why do you think the writer of this article refers to the story of Goldilocks in the opening
paragraph?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

9 How far do you think that the language used in this passage is successful in explaining
the scientific details to the children at whom it is aimed? Can you find examples of words
which might be difficult for them to understand?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [2]

10 Do you find the pictures included in the article to be helpful in understanding the content
or not? Give reasons for your answer?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [2]

[Total: 13]

20
Exercise 9 – Setting up your answering machine

Read carefully the article on page 35-36, and then answer all the following questions.

(a) What is the feature of the answering machine has been mentioned in the first paragraph?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

(b) How long a greeting must be recorded in the answering machine?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

(c) What are the modes featured in the answering mode? Give two details.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [2]

(d) According to the picture, how far a user should speak to record the greeting?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

(e) What is the suggestion given if the recording area is full?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

(f) What will happen if the recording exceeds from the allocated minutes given?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

(g) What should be done every time a user changes mode?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

(h) What button should be pressed if a user wants to check the greeting?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

(i) What are the features a user can do if they press ERASE while playing back the
greeting? Give two details.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [2]

[Total: 11]

21
Exercise 10 – Lost or stolen phone

Read carefully the article on page 37-38, and then answer all the following questions.

1 What reason does the passage give for saying that we would be lost without our mobile
phones?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

2 What two points make the theft of a phone such a serious problem?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [2]

3 What should you do as soon as you discover that your phone is missing?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

4 What reasons are given in the passage as to why you should do this?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

5 What two pieces of advice are given about how to keep your phone safe?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [2]

6 If you are the owner of a mobile phone, how else can you find advice about what to do if
your phone is stolen from this article?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

7 Explain, using your own words, what is meant by ‘a unique 15-digit serial number’.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

8 Why does the passage tell you to check carefully the details of your insurance policy?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

9 Why should contact

(a) the website findmyphone and

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(b) Immobilise?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [2]

10 How can you stop anyone else from using your phone?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

[Total: 13]

22
Chapter 3: Reading more complex texts

23
 Exercise 0 - I refuse to use a mobile phone and I’m all the happier for it

You are about to take part in a class debate in which you are speaking against the motion ‘The
technological inventions of the last twenty five years have been unquestionably of benefit to all
citizens’. In particular you wish to question the value of using and owning mobile (or cell) phones.

Read the article written by John Naish (on pages 42-43) and use ideas from it to support these
key points in your speech.

Make notes of what you will say in your talk under the following headings:

1. reasons why people think that we should all have mobile phones:

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

2. reasons in favour of not having them:

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3. the main points I would use to persuade the audience to agree with me:

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

[Total: 9]

24
 Exercise 1 – Women footballers bring new life to the beautiful game and score with Twitter

You and many of your friends, both girls and boys, wish to set up a girls’ football league in your
local area. The authorities have said that before they commit money and resources to organising
this they need to be convinced that there will be sufficient interest in the sport to make it worthwhile
doing so.

You have been asked to produce a report for the authorities in which you give reasons as to
why a girls’ football league would be successful in your area.

Make notes for your report, based on Tracy McVeigh’s article, under the following headings:

1. evidence of the increased popularity of women’s football:

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

2. how the social media have contributed to this:

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3. the differences in attitudes of the public to men’s and women’s football:

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

4. why setting up a girls’ football league would benefit your community:

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

[Total: 12]

25
 Exercise 2 – The wreck of the Titanic

Imagine that you are the writer of the article. You have been invited to a local school to give a talk
about your experience of discovering the Titanic.

Make notes for your talk in which you include under the following headings:

1. the appearance of the wreck of the Titanic:

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

2. your thoughts and feelings as you explored it:

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3. your views as to whether it should be brought to the surface or left where it is:

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

[Total: 9]

26
 Exercise 3 – Seasons, weather, and climate in Norway [Group 1]

Imagine that you work for the Norwegian Tourist Board. You have received letters from two groups
of people who are planning to visit your country. Both are asking for your advice as to when they
should visit, and which parts of the country would best suit their particular requirements.

Group 1
This group consists of members of an outdoor activities club, based in Russia. They are very
interested in skiing, walking in the mountains and related activities. You should give them
information about:

Make notes for your replies under the following headings:

1. the best time(s) of year to make their visit:

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

2. the most suitable towns and areas of the country for them to visit:

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3. the activities that they could take part in and any other information that might be of interest to
them:

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

[Total: 9]

27
 Exercise 3 – Seasons, weather, and climate in Norway [Group 2]

Imagine that you work for the Norwegian Tourist Board. You have received letters from two groups
of people who are planning to visit your country. Both are asking for your advice as to when they
should visit, and which parts of the country would best suit their particular requirements.

Group 2
This group consists of a family from Argentina who wish to visit Norway for a three-week holiday.
The family is interested in seeing as much of the country as they can in the time available and
consists of six people: mother, father, two teenage children and two grandparents, who are in their
sixties but are both fit and active. You should give them information about:

Make notes for your replies under the following headings:

1. the best time(s) of year to make their visit:

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

2. the most suitable towns and areas of the country for them to visit:

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3. the activities that they could take part in and any other information that might be of interest to
them:

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

[Total: 9]

28
 Exercise 4 – Visit to Efteling Theme Park

You have been asked by the Publicity Department of Efteling Theme Park to produce a pamphlet
aimed at families living outside of the Netherlands to encourage them to visit and to spend at least
one day at the park.

Using the two passages on pages 50-52, make notes of what your article will contain. You
should include the following information:

Make notes for your pamphlet under the following headings:

1. a brief summary of the history of the park and an overall description of its main attractions:

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

2. the features of the park that would be of interest to different members of a family (for example
adults, young children, teenagers):

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3. details of what the park has to offer at different times of the year and information about
accommodation near the park:

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

[Total: 9]

29
Exercise 5 – An extract from the famous adventure story, Treasure Island

Read carefully the article on page 59-60, and then answer all the following questions.

1 What feature of the landscape, mentioned in the first two paragraphs, marks where the
treasure is buried?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

2 Which one word used in the first paragraph tells you that the weather conditions on the
island were very hot?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

3 Why does the writer say that the third tree might have acted as ‘a sailing mark on a
chart’?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

4 Describe in your own words the behaviour of the pirates as they approached to where the
treasure was buried (paragraph 3)

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

5 Give the two words used by the writer in paragraph 3 which state how the pirates hoped
to spend their lives after they had found the treasure.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [2]

6 What is the name of the ship on which Long John Silver and the other pirates had
travelled?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

7 What did Jim Hawkins, the narrator think that Silver intended to do once they had found
the treasure?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

8 What caused Jim to stumble as the pirates raced towards the treasure? You should try to
identify two reasons for this.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [2]

9 By referring closely to paragraph 5, explain, using your own words, what would seem to
have happened when Captain Flint and his men buried the treasure.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

10 What piece of evidence told the pirates that they were in the right place to find the
treasure? What did they find and what happened to the treasure?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………… [2]
[Total: 13]
30
 Exercise 6 – The opening chapter of Pollyanna

Imagine that you are Nancy, Miss Polly Harrington’s maid. It is the evening of the day described in
the extract on pages 61-62 and you are about to write a letter to your mothers and sisters.

Make notes for your letter in which you describe and give your thoughts about:

1. Miss Polly Harrington and the house in which she lives:

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

2. your work in the house and your thoughts about what you have to do and how you are treated:

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3. what happened when Pollyanna arrived and what you think about how she will cope living with
Aunt Polly:

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

• ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

[Total: 9]

31
Chapter 4: Reading and summarising

32
Exercise 1 – The Channel Tunnel

Read the following passage on page 70 and then write a summary of what it tells you about the
building and design of the Channel Tunnel. (Note that the Channel Tunnel is also known as the
Chunnel.)

Your summary should be about 100 words (and no more than 120). You should use your own
words as far as possible.

You will receive up to 8 marks for the content of your summary, and up to 8 marks for the style and
accuracy of your language.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

[Total: 16]

33
Exercise 2 – Bear Attack

Read carefully the following article on pages 71-72 which describes how a man survived an attack
by a black bear.

Write a summary of what the passage tells you about:

• how the bear attacked and how the writer responded
• the writer’s thoughts and feelings during this experience

Your summary should be about 100 words (and no more than 120). You should use your own
words as far as possible.

You will receive up to 8 marks for the content of your summary, and up to 8 marks for the style and
accuracy of your language.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

[Total: 16]

34
Exercise 3 – Women footballers bring new life to the beautiful game and score with Twitter

Read the following passage about women’s football that you have already seen in Chapter 3 and
then write a summary in which you explain how Twitter and other types of social media have
helped to popularise the sport. (Note the wording of the question carefully – you are not required
to summarise the whole passage)

Your summary should be about 100 words (and no more than 120). You should use your own
words as far as possible.

You will receive up to 8 marks for the content of your summary, and up to 8 marks for the style and
accuracy of your language.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

[Total: 16]

35
Exercise 4 – Early advertising

Read carefully the passage on pages 73-74 that follows and write a summary of how advertising
developed from the seventeenth century to the present day.

Your summary should be about 100 words (and no more than 120). You should use your own
words as far as possible.

You will receive up to 8 marks for the content of your summary, and up to 8 marks for the style and
accuracy of your language.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

[Total: 16]

36
Exercise 5 – Noise

Read carefully the passage on page 75 about ‘Noise’ which you have seen before in Chapter 2.
You have been asked to give a talk to your class about the dangers that can be caused by
excessive noise. Make notes of the main points you would make and then write the words of
your talk as a summary of the passage.

Your summary should be about 100 words (and no more than 120). You should use your own
words as far as possible.

You will receive up to 8 marks for the content of your summary, and up to 8 marks for the style and
accuracy of your language.

The main points of the dangers that can be caused by excessive noise:
• …………………………………………………………………………………………………….
• …………………………………………………………………………………………………….
• …………………………………………………………………………………………………….
• …………………………………………………………………………………………………….
• …………………………………………………………………………………………………….
• …………………………………………………………………………………………………….
• …………………………………………………………………………………………………….
• …………………………………………………………………………………………………….

The summary:

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

[Total: 16]
37
Exercise 6 – Protecting children from pool accidents

Read carefully the passage on pages 76-77 about how to protect young children from pool
accidents. Imagine that you work for the local Health and Safety Department, and you have been
asked to give a talk to parents about the dangers of swimming pools and what can be done to
prevent them. Make notes of what you want to say and then use them to write the words of
your talk, as a summary of the passage.

Your summary should be about 100 words (and no more than 120). You should use your own
words as far as possible.

You will receive up to 8 marks for the content of your summary, and up to 8 marks for the style and
accuracy of your language.

The main points on how to protect young children from pool accidents:
• …………………………………………………………………………………………………….
• …………………………………………………………………………………………………….
• …………………………………………………………………………………………………….
• …………………………………………………………………………………………………….
• …………………………………………………………………………………………………….
• …………………………………………………………………………………………………….
• …………………………………………………………………………………………………….
• …………………………………………………………………………………………………….

The summary:

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

[Total: 16]

38
Chapter 5: Becoming a better writer

39
Exercise 1 – Checking in at the airport

Re-read the information on pages 80-81 about how to check in at Schiphol Airport and then attempt
the following task.

Your grandparents are planning to fly from Schiphol to visit friends living in Japan. They are not very
experienced in travelling by plane and have asked you, as someone who flies frequently, for advice
on how they should check in. They have a computer at home.

Write a letter to your grandparents in which you inform them about the check-in procedure.

Your letter should be about 150 words long. You should use the information in the leaflet but use
your own words and do not copy from it. Remember to write in a tone appropriate to a letter to close
relatives. You do not need to give your address.

You will receive up to 8 marks for the content of your letter, and up to 8 marks for the language
used.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

[Total: 16]

40
Exercise 2 – Information for new users of Twitter [Task 1]

Your favourite auntie, who is 62 years old, has decided that she wants to become a user of Twitter.
She has a reasonable understanding of modern technology and owns a PC and a cell phone. She
has asked you for advice on how to set up and use a Twitter account. Write a letter to her in which
you explain what Twitter is and how she should get started using it. The tone of your letter
should be both informative and friendly. Plan your letter by making a list of the main points that you
will use before you start to write.

You should use your own words as far as possible and not just copy whole phrases from the
article (pages 82-83).

Your letter should be between 150 and 200 words long. Do not write and address.

You will receive up to 8 marks for the content of your letter, and up to 8 marks for the language
used.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

[Total: 16]

41
Exercise 2 – Information for new users of Twitter [Task 2]

As an experienced user of Twitter, you have been asked by a youth group to which you belong to
talk to parents of younger members (13/14 years old) of the group to explain to them and give
them information about what Twitter is, in order to help them decide whether they should allow
their children to be involved in using the service. Plan your talk by making a list of the main points
that you will use before you start to write.

You should use your own words as far as possible and not just copy whole phrases from the
article (pages 82-83).

Your talk should be between 150 and 200 words long.

You will receive up to 8 marks for the content of your talk, and up to 8 marks for the language
used.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

[Total: 16]

42
Exercise 3 – Wearing school uniform

Re-read the article on pages 85-86 and then make a list of the points against wearing school
uniform that the writer makes. Add any further points of your own that you can think of to the list.

Now use these notes to write a letter to the writer of the original article to convince her/him that
wearing school uniform is not a good thing. (This should be a friendly letter and you should make
up a name for the person to whom you are writing.)

Your letter should be between 150 and 200 words long. Do not write an address.

You will receive up to 8 marks for the content of your letter, and up to 8 marks for the language
used.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

[Total: 16]

43
Exercise 4 – The Asiatic Lion (Passages A-D)

Write a letter to the Editor of a magazine aimed at teenagers. In your letter you should give details
about the Asiatic lion, why you consider it is important that it should not be allowed to become
extinct and suggest how people of your age can help in saving it.

Your letter should be between 150 and 200 words long. Do not write an address.

You will receive up to 8 marks for the content of your letter, and up to 8 marks for the language
used.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

[Total: 16]
44
Exercise 4 – The Asiatic Lion (Passages A-D)

By using details from all the articles on pages 87-90, write the words of a web-page aimed at pre-
teenage children in which you give information about the Asiatic lion and explain what is meant
by ‘an endangered species’.

Your web-page should be between 150 and 200 words long.

You will receive up to 8 marks for the content of your web-page, and up to 8 marks for the
language used.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

[Total: 16]
45
Exercise 5 – A lot of our life is spent doing useless things. Is this true?

In class, you recently had a discussion about whether our life is mostly spent doing useless things.

You have decided to write an article for your school magazine.

By using all the details and outlines on pages 102-103, write an article for your school magazine,
giving your views.

Your article should be between 150 and 200 words long.

You will receive up to 8 marks for the content of your article, and up to 8 marks for the language
used.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

[Total: 16]

46